Moving from Jackson, MS to El Monte, CA
Moving from Jackson, MS to El Monte, CA is a 1824 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 38m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1824 mi Β· 31h 38m by car Β· MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 27.5% pricier overall price level β 89.048 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: El Monte typical home at $765,444 is 27.5% above Jackson at $87,256 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 15.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Monte sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.62 |
Median household income in El Monte is 27.5% above Jackson ($43,238 vs $64,484, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Mississippi and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 777.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is El Monte, CA from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 1824 mi and the route typically takes 31h 38m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1824 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Monte more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 27.5% higher than Jackson (113.566 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 49.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· El Monte, CA.